United Kingdom
Glencoe Mountain is known to be the oldest ski resort in Scotland, the first lift being implemented in 1956. It is quite close to Nevis Range and the top of the ski resort reaches the Meall a’Bhuiridh peak, 1108m high.
- Glencoe ski resort
- Sustainable development of the Glencoe ski resort
- Unforgettable experiences in Glencoe
- Glencoe mountain resort in summer
- Hotels in Glencoe
- Skiing in Glencoe : the resort’s main strengths
Glencoe ski resort
Winter is the best season to go there. Starting from the beginning of January you can do snow sports, however, Rescue Training is also provided. It is quite a unique skill to get in a ski resort!
As for the slopes, this ancient sky centre has the longest run in Scotland and also one of the biggest chairlifts. To access the ski resort you can park your car in the area provided down the station, which is often below the snow line. You then can access the main resort from the access chairlift.
Glencoe Mountain: the oldest ski resort in Scotland
The ski resort is divided into 3 sections and ideal for all types of skiers. The beginners can go up the Beginners Tow or the Plateau Poma, which provides access to the green slopes. It is a gentle plateau, ideal for learning the basics of ski and snowboard. On the contrary, the upper part of the station is much steeper, with red, black and blue slopes.
You can challenge yourself going down the flypaper, famous for being one of the steepest slopes in Britain! And after heavy snowfall, you can even ski down as far as the car park at 300 meters above sea level, something quite unexpected in Scotland!
For the expert skiers, you can even try to go down a feature you will not see in any other resort, the Haggis Trap. It is absolutely unique in the world but do not forget you must have a certain level before trying this off-piste special feature.
Don’t hesitate to ski at Glencoe this season, one of the chairlifts will be renovated this year, and the Coe Cup is taking place soon! It is a spectacular Freestyle competition, a very recent initiative of the resort on one of the steepest runs of the region.
Did you know that the last patch of snow has been persisting until August in Glencoe resort? Although something rare it happened this year.
Sustainable development of the Glencoe ski resort
Skiing in Scotland has been in the spotlight in the last few years for a series of reasons and the Glencoe Ski Resort is not an exception.
This has been mainly due to major investment plans for cutting-edge snow-making and the construction of man-made slopes in the skiing domains,
that will make skiing a much more efficient and environmentally friendly experience
for those fans of the winter gliding.
Unforgettable experiences in Glencoe
Sledging down the 75 metre slope run
Go for a fantastic ride on the chairlift and soak up the sights before taking a short stroll to the Plateau Cafe and picking up your sled from the ski bunkers located just outside the cafeteria.
Afterwards, you can indulge in the 75-metre slope run before heading off for a tasty hot chocolate to finish off a jolly day.
Real life avalanche victim saving scenario practice at the Glencoe ski resort
Glencoe Mountain Resort’s transceiver park was officially inaugurated on 8 January 2011 by the legendary Scottish mountaineer and rescuer Hamish MacInnes, and offered the unique opportunity to learn how to use avalanche transceivers in a secure and safe environment.
Being able to experience the use of transceivers, probes and shovels can without doubt save lives; by being able to familiarise yourself amongst the equipment and use it with confidence and speed means that, in real life scenarios where every second counts, the victims are more likely to be found more quickly.
The Avalanche Transceiver Training Park at Glencoe has 8 wireless beacons that are permanently buried. These are buried in up to 4m of snow, and as they are wireless and permanently buried there are no tracks or cues as to exactly where to dig, thus providing a difficult and life-like search for an avalanche victim.
Glencoe mountain resort in summer
Treasure hunting with the younger ones at Glencoe
Children and their families are invited to take part in the ‘Treasure Hunt’ activity, a tour of the station following the stages proposed on a map; if they cover all of them, they obtain the ‘treasure’, a set of gifts to be handed out at the customer service centre.
You just need to grab a lift ticket and a scavenger hunt map and head out to track the clues, meet the animals and admire the breathtaking views.
Taking a charilift ride to heaven
Operating all year round, the chairlift iath the Glencoe ski resort, carries you from the bottom of the valley to 2200 feet in under 12 minutes, with stunning views of the waterfalls, the Ranoch plateau and across to the Buchaille Etive Mor.
The Eagles Rest, directly from the chairlift, offers a superb view with no need for a hike at all. If you’re fancying a bit more adventure, there’s another viewpoint at the top of Creag Dhubb; it’s a light hike of about less than a mile from the upper chairlift and offers sweeping views of Glen Etive.
Hotels in Glencoe
Microlodge accomodations at the Glencoe Ski Resort
Set nearby the ski slopes, the strange but unique Microlodges provide solid, well insulated, comfortably furnished and secure accommodation for a maximum of 4 people (1 double and 2 singles).
They are unbelievably popular with cyclists, skiers, hikers of the West Highland Way and families. Featuring comfortable mattresses and a nice snug feel, all you need to bring is your sleeping bag.
Kinghouse Hotel
On the banks of the Etive River in the Scottish Highlands, this casual and friendly hotel with modern outbuildings is 3 km from Glencoe Mountain Resort ski resort and 5 km from Buachaille Etive Mòr Peak.
Cosy rooms offer flat-screen TVs and views of the mountain or river; upgraded rooms feature balconies. The neat dorms are equipped with bunk beds, lockers and communal bathrooms.
Guests can choose from a restaurant with wood-beamed ceilings, as well as an on-site bar and a lobby lounge with an open fireplace. Additionally, there is a shared kitchen and a laundry room with coin-operated facilities for guests staying in the dorms.
Clachaig Inn **
Spend some time, as travellers have done for centuries. Clachaig Inn has a choice of accommodation to accommodate your needs.
There are 23 fully modernised en-suite bedrooms; the accommodation offers a selection of double, twin and family rooms. Many of the rooms have spectacular views of the Glencoe Mountains.
Meals are served daily from noon until 9pm. Alternatively, the pubs by the Inn offer a wide range of Scotch craft beers, lagers, stouts and ciders, a comprehensive collection of more than 400 malt whiskies, well over 130 Scottish distilled gins and a ever-growing list of rums, vodkas and other Scottish spirits.
The place is located just under 11 miles from the Glencoe ski resort.
Skiing in Glencoe : the resort’s main strengths
✅ Located just a 2 hour dirve away from Glasgow.
✅ It is known to be the oldest ski resort in Scotland.
✅ The station is divided into 3 different sections for beginners intermediate and advance skiers.
✅ Features a unique-in-the-world real life avalanche victim saving scenario practice.
